A Basic Income Alternative That Works

Editor’s Note: Today it is my pleasure to share a thought-provoking article from our longtime friend Andy Snyder, founder of Manward Press. In it, Andy shares many of the sentiments that Alex Green has discussed recently about today’s “post-responsibility society.”

Life isn’t fair, but Andy and Alex agree: If you want to change your circumstances, you have to take action. Continue reading for Andy’s thoughts, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments!

If you’re interested in hearing more from Andy, sign up for his Manward Digest daily e-letter. Inspired by his time in Alaska, it offers a truly fascinating perspective on what it means to live a rich and fulfilled life. Just click here and you’ll be automatically added to the list.

Our great nation is under attack. What’s happening today is no different from an invading army taking over our streets.

Our monuments are falling…

Our national anthem is under attack…

And our flag is spit upon.

The enemy is here. And he’s got the high ground.

But we’ve got a solution. It’s a simple way to win this war.

In our mind… it’s now or never.

It’s time, we say, that every man in America be forced into two years of service.

Get to Work

Before we go on, know that our idea of service is unlike the traditional definition.

Sure, we’d love men to join the military. They’d surely stand for the national anthem after a few months in uniform.

But, sadly, the majority of today’s young men aren’t fit to fight. If you’re fat… a felon… a drug user (even of many prescription drugs)… or simply someone who can’t read well, you’re out.

Today that’s 71% of our nation’s young men. Less than 3 in 10 are eligible for the military.

That’s no good (disgusting, really), but our plan doesn’t care.

We’ll find work for those folks. They can get fit by blazing new trails in our state and national parks. They can get paid to see the country by following natural disasters and helping with repairs. They can nurse their softer side by working at a retirement home.

As long as they’re serving, we’re happy.

The truth is, all we intend to do is splash a bit of cold water in our kids’ faces.

What happened in dozens of stadiums during the 2017 and 2018 NFL seasons proved our nation is sick. We need to change direction. When a nation is more attuned to the actions at a game than what’s being talked about in its schools or – dare we say – in its churches… it’s in trouble.

By forcing young men to change their routines and to explore new horizons, we’re convinced we’ll changesave America.

Government Guarantee

A lot of folks these days are talking about the idea of a universal basic income – where the fine folks in the government hand each of us a paycheck every year. It would supposedly level the playing field and keep all Americans out of poverty.

It’s a dumb idea.

It would be an unmitigated disaster.

Instead, our plan calls for minimum basic work for any man between the ages of 18 and 23.

The government will guarantee these men a job… and therefore guarantee they’re not poor.

But it won’t be a handout. They’ll work.

Again, many will join the military. Plenty more won’t. Those young men can learn a trade. Or perhaps find work in one of Washington’s many office buildings.

It doesn’t matter if they’re gay, straight, black or white. If men between those ages ever want to receive any form of government aid in the future, they must give two years to the country.

Changing Direction

The way we see it, our plan does three things.

First, it breaks the cycle. It’s tough to join a gang or get drunk with your high school buddies when one is in the woods north of Seattle and the other is rebuilding roads in southern Florida.

More importantly, though, it gives our youngest generation of men an opportunity.

Many can’t afford bus fare out of the city, let alone four years of school. It locks them into a cycle of poverty.

This would be their chance to break it.

Second, our plan keeps kids out of college… the nasty trap of the middle class.

Oh, they can still go if they want. But first they’ll have to give two years to Uncle Sam. And if they play their hands right, they’ll realize they don’t all need a degree – and the massive load of debt that comes with it – to thrive.

After all, two years in the military can quickly turn into a 25-year career – and an early retirement.

And finally, our plan rebuilds the American spirit.

It wasn’t by chance that Alejandro Villanueva left his team in the locker room one Sunday in 2017 to be the lone Steeler to appear for the national anthem. He’s a decorated West Point graduate who knows what it takes to serve.

He’s our kind of man.

If we broke the cycle and forced our youngest men to serve their country, they’d wise up. They’d see new things and learn new skills.